A site devoted to a mixed bag of topics, with an emphasis on professional and amateur sports in Regina, Saskatchewan. We also preview the weekly lineup of guests for the Locker Talk on Access 7 tv sports talk show.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Here's the lineup for this week's show. As per usual, it airs tonight at 9 p.m., Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon on Access channel 7. If you manage to miss it, it's also available on demand for Access customers.

Uh...Mr. Burke...you still don't have a goaltender. Or a second line. Or a shut-down defenceman. Just sayin'.

Dear Research in Motion: Your operating system upgrade for the Blackberry Playbook isn't good enough. Why is it you can figure out how to sync Outlook contacts and calendars with your phones, but not your tablet? Fail.

My 12 year old has decided that anyone who boos Andy Fantuz when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats come to town in July is a stupid dummy-head. Or something to that effect.

CKRM's Rod Pedersen is married, and the world didn't end. Go figure! Congrats to Rod and Cindy on their nuptials, and making it home from Mexico without getting robbed!

There seems to be a little less chirping coming out of Moose Jaw since Friday night's beat-down at the hands of the Regina Pats. Imagine that.

Is there anyone in this neck of the woods who wouldn't love to the see the Pats and Warriors go head-to-head in the WHL playoffs? Guaranteed sellouts in both barns!

So the Academy Awards were on tv last night. Good for them. The failure to acknowledge the cinematic excellence of Hugh Jackman's Real Steel has tarnished the Oscars forever in my mind.

After hearing the reviews of friends who've been in Florida, or Mexico, or Arizona, or California recently, I may have to seriously rethink my stance on winter vacations!

Granted, it hasn't exactly been a harsh winter around here, but still.

The Riders will hold a news conference this morning, and most people believe offensive lineman Gene Makowsky will announce his retirement. If so, Geno will leave as one of the all-time greats in team, and league, history.

Name me the last offensive lineman who could play as many different positions, and at such a high level. If you think there's no difference in playing guard and tackle, you obviously have never tried it.

Will the Andy Fantuz watch finally come to an end early next week? It's believed the bidding war for the free agent receiver's services is between the Riders and Hamilton.

I chuckle a little when people say "Well, with (insert veteran player's name here) gone, they'll have lots of money to pay (insert free agent's name here)." Uh, you do realize (veteran player's) roster spot will have to be filled by somebody, and that somebody will have to be paid, right? In other words, the Riders don't save the full amount of Wes Cates' salary by not re-signing Wes Cates, for example.

We knew it was coming, but it was still a kick to the gut to learn of the passing of baseball Hall of Famer Gary Carter. The Kid was my all-time favourite Montreal Expo.

Favourite Gary Carter moment? His two home run performance in the 1981 All-Star game, earning him game MVP honours.

Was there a Canadian kid who didn't love the Expos in those days?

If Jordan Weal isn't the WHL MVP this season, who the hell is?

Would the Regina Pats be in a position to win 35+ games this season without him? Not even close.

Rick Nash in a Toronto Maple Leaf uniform? Dare to dream. Actually, the Leafs need a dominant center more than another winger.

Does any NHL captain get less respect from his team's fan base than Toronto's Dion Phaneuf?

No Vince, I do not care to watch you play with your Schticky. Thanks, though.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Another week has gone by already? Damn! Well, here's a list of highlights and lesser lights from the past seven days. As always, feel free to contribute your own.

Cheers

Saskatchewan Roughriders. Rider GM Brendan Taman made a big splash on the first day of free agency by signing coveted offensive linemen Brendon Labatte (the pride of Weyburn) and Domenic Picard, and defensive back (and Regina native) Paul Woldu. Those signings should improve the o-line and special teams.

Regina Pats. After a horrid ten game stretch, the Pats are riding a three game winning streak behind terrific performances from goaltender Matt Hewitt. If they keep this up, these guys just might steal a series or two in the playoffs.

Jeremy Lin. How can you not like the story of the New York Knicks guard who has gone from 5th stringer to star almost overnight?

Regina General Hospital. Granted, the service wasn't the speediest, but they took good care of the J-man and his injured ankle. That's all a parent can ask for, really.

Jeers

The cold or flu bug from hell. Seriously, I'm still coughing three weeks later? That just isn't right.

People who ask for coverage on our little sports talk show (Locker Talk), and then bail out the day of the taping. Thankfully it doesn't happen often, but when it does it's damn annoying.

The segment of the fan base who believe Cary Koch's departure from the Riders (via free agency) signals a pending football Armageddon. Koch's a nice guy, a hard worker, but in the end - eminently replaceable.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Here's the lineup for the Valentine's Day edition of the show, airing tonight at 9 p.m., Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon on Access channel 7. Suitable viewing fare for romantic evenings? Sure, why not!

2. Fresh off their victory in the Luther Invitational Tournament, the Riffel Royals have established themselves as the team to beat in Regina senior boys high school basketball. Guests: Wade Hackl (Head Coach), Travis Sylvestre & Jeff Propp (Royals players).

A quick plug for Steve Ryan - brother of NFL punter Jon, and a darn fine football player in his own right. Steve has started a new career as a mortgage broker for the Mortgage Group. Give him a shout at 501-9085.

Jeers

The creepy obsession some fans (fanatics?) have with the pending free agent status of Rider receiver Andy Fantuz. He'll sign where he signs, and the Riders will either be glad, or respond accordingly. Try to relax.

The Chicken Little segment of the Regina Pats fan base. Yes, the Pats haven't played well recently, but they're still a virtual lock to make the playoffs. If they don't, then let the hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth begin.

There. Their. They're. Three different words. Three different meanings. Seriously, is it that damn hard to figure out?

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Here's the lineup for this week's show, airing tonight at 9 p.m., Thursday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at noon on Access channel 7 in Regina. Research shows watching Locker Talk can increase your attractiveness to the opposite sex by up to 14%!

Friday, February 03, 2012

There sure is a lot of angst over the eventual whereabouts of pending CFL free agent Andy Fantuz. Everyone's questions will be answered in two weeks, so no point getting bent out of shape until then!

So the Rider offensive line will have at least one new player at tackle with the release of Alex Gauthier. Dan Goodspeed has survived the purge? Go figure.

I suppose I'll cheer for the Patriots Sunday. I really, really, really dislike the New York Giants. And that was even before they knocked the Packers out of the playoffs!

A healthy Rob Gronkowski could run roughshod over the Giants secondary. But he can't be at full speed after suffering a high ankle sprain only two weeks ago.

Lots of people are wondering who the new radio voice of the Regina Pats will be, once Dan Plaster moves into a community relations role with the Riders later this month. Those in the know seem to think CKRM's Phil Andrews is the front-runner.

Nothing against Phil, but why not give Mitch "Scruffy" Blair a shot? He's done both hockey play-by-play and communications before, and he's available.

Not that I'd want to lose Mitch as my Locker Talk co-host, mind you! The world ain't ready for a steady diet of Our Man Carlo!

Speaking of diets, I estimate I've been sick for about a week, and have lost 5-6 pounds. If I can stretch this thing out for a couple of months, we could really have something!

Tentative plans have been made to attend Saturday night's roller derby debauchery at the Agribition Building. I am all about culture and refinement.

I'm also looking forward to getting together with Rider o-lineman Marc Parenteau this weekend and picking his brain about coaching young hoggies. Methinks there's lots of good info/ideas rattling around in that old Boston College noggin!

Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the darkest day in my recent personal history. Miss you mom!

On a brighter note, July holiday plans with the J-man have been confirmed. Now I await the (hopefully) inevitable seat sales!